Recovery times and support required following mastectomy and chemo
Sorry for long post... I'm new to this group. I was confirmed 2 days before Christmas with DCIS and suspected Paget’s Disease. I am facing a mastectomy and possible chemo, etc. I'm now looking at what my options are with respect to reconstruction. I’m seeing my breast surgeon tomorrow with my growing list of questions. So far she has suggested a reconstruction of the affected breast using a bit from my tummy. I asked about a double mastectomy - which she would support - but she said that type of reconstruction may not be possible as I don't have enough 'flesh' on my tummy. I'm still not sure what to do but I'm leaning towards a double as I don't want the anxiety of annual check ups moving forward, especially for my kids. I haven't met with a plastic surgeon yet, given the time of year. I am a 54 yo working single mother of 3 beautiful (mostly) humans aged 13, 16, 17 as well as 2 dogs and 2 useless cats. It's been a tough few years. My wonderful husband died unexpectedly in November 2023. Two months before that his mother also died suddenly and two months before that my mother had a life threatening seizure in front of me and was put into an induced coma and was in ICU for 3 days - she had had a stroke and breast cancer 6 months before that and she has Alzheimers. She then went into care two weeks after my husband's funeral. My Dad lives near by and is healthy - thank goodness. Given what's been going on, 'I don't have much left in my tank' to deal with this latest challenge but it is what it is. I am very lucky to have some wonderful friends and family (however it's not the same as having your partner support you.) So, I'm trying to prepare myself for what's coming - physically and emotionally. I'm wanting to understand what kind of help I'll need following surgery or surgeries. What will my energy be like? How long until I will be able to work, cook, clean, drive, etc? My kids are as helpful as any teens - which is OK but not great and the two eldest have especially busy schedules with lots of activities on top of doing their VCE. I appreciate that every situation is unique but knowing how others - particularly other single parents - have managed will help with my decision making and help me prepare for what lies ahead. Also, any referrals for mortality/grief counselling in Melb would be appreciated. Thank you. xx
Update
Hi all, It's been a while since I post something. A lot has occurred since the last time I post something. Unfortunately, I was not doing well with the weekly chemo and Immunotherapy treatment. Spend all Easter break in hospital due to infection, I became hypersensitive to needles and got a PICC Line inserted which lasted only for a few weeks as it got infected, and it had to be removed, my oncologist decided to insert a Port (which has been the best thing). I also became sensitive to all the dressing that they used on me, my skin was breaking down. I ended up in ICU due to my blood pressure going low. It seemed that after my weekly treatment my husband had to rush me to the emergency department in the evening due to high temperature and rapid heart rate. This went on for 3 weeks in May, my last admission was the worse one, my temperature wouldn't go down, ended up being septicemia, required blood transfusion, my liver functions weren't great at all. The levels were tripled. My oncologist started getting worried and ceased the chemo and immunotherapy treatment and decided to bring the surgery forward. Unfortunately, the lump in my breast hadn't decrease in size as the surgeon expected and the lymph node that was cancerous had increase in size. My plan was to have both breasts removed and then do the reconstruction at the same time, due to my liver function and current health status, my surgeon and oncologist decided to just remove the right breast and have the other breast remove and reconstruction done at a later time. I was deflated with that news, eventually I accepted it. I had my mastectomy to my right breast on May 31st. He also removed 10 Lymph Nodes (Which only one of them had the cancer). Three weeks ago, I started Radiation, and I have completed this on Tuesday (13/08/24). I see my oncologist next Tuesday (20/08/24) and he is going to restart me back on chemo, but the oral form. I am not sure for how long and if the side effects for the oral chemo is the same as the IV one. My plastic surgeon has placed me on waiting list at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for the surgery/reconstruction. I have accepted the way I look now.
Choosing a surgeon (Melb) -New diagnosis overwhelm
Hi there, Im 49 and had my first routine mammogram in September- no family history or symptoms. They discovered calcifications, had a biopsy then 5 days ago I was told I had breast cancer. Stage 2-3 6cm aggressive.That’s all I can remember to be honest as I was in so much shock. Got referred to my GP in the afternoon and had to get referrals to a surgeon. With no time to think and still in shock our GP recommended Dr Sarah Kemp at Cabrini Malvern and a friend (and gp) recommended Dr. Melanie Walker at the Epworth in Richmond. It was so overwhelming and fast. Im someone who can’t make even the smallest of decisions eg what shoes to wear in the morning! lol We have met one surgeon as they had an apt the next morning. Do I meet the other as well? Keen to know is anyone had experiences with these breast surgeons and their team? How do I choose? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Feeling very overwhelmed and stressed! also worried about work and finances… I guess that’s another question!
Drain pain
Hi all I am two weeks post left nipple saving mastectomy on left with implant reconstruction. Pathology after surgery found cancer in lymph nodes so I had a lymph clearance one week ago. I have found the recovery from the lymph surgery so much more painful and my drain site seems to be where the pain is coming from. The tube continually looks blocked with clots. The breast care nurse tried “milking” the drain today but it was so painful. Just looking to hear whether this is a common experience or whether I should be trying to get the tubes changed? Thanks all
Goldilocks procedure
Moderator moved @Maxi3 comment to own dedicated discussion: maxi3 sydney Member Posts: 1 ✭ 1:55PM Hello to everyone!! I am hoping to find out if anyone underwent a “Goldilocks procedure” for their reconstruction? AND with flap or implant reconstruction do you lose full feeling in your breasts? Many thanks for any information Stay strong xxxNewly diagnosed - breast reconstruction decisions
Moderator moved @Dutchy1_kim post from 'Activity' feed to 'Newly Diagnosed': Dutchy1_kim Hi I am a new member as of today. I am looking for information, shared experiences, support and honest answers. I was diagnosed with DCIS and invasive tubular breast cancer. I have had a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. After further testing, i had 35mm around one tumor of DCIS and 15mm around the other tumor. My oncologist has now booked me in for a double mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction. Would love to hear from someone who has gone through something similar. Thank you!
Going public - will I have any choices
Hi all - I received a call last week telling me that my biopsies show cancer in one of my breasts. It's not a total surprise as there is a very strong family history of it - I always felt like a ticking time bomb. Regardless, I feel like a bit of a zombie at the moment, the situation is consuming me. The shock of it and not knowing what is ahead is awful. I have an appointment with a surgeon at a public hospital tomorrow. I suspect they will recommend lumpectomy with radiation, but I would prefer to just have a bilateral mastectomy and be done with it. I watched my mum go through 5 years of anxiety wondering if it was coming back. Ideally I would have the immediate reconstruction, but I presume that wouldn't happen in the public system. Has anyone gone through the public system and been given choices as to the treatment they have, or do you have to go private to make these choices? How can I find out what it would cost if I was to fund it all ourselves? Just wondering if we can find the money, how much would we need?
New to the club I didn't want to join!
Hi everyone. As the title says, I'm new here! Id rather not be, but am thankful for safe spaces like this. I was recalled after some abnormal results on my first mammogram & after a morning of more scans was told it was likely cancer so biopsies and ultrasound were done, then 2 days later it was confirmed to be Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, grade 1, ER/PR+. I've learned more the last week than I ever wanted to know! I meet with the surgical team in a week or so, but given the results so far it is looking like we will do a mastectomy with an immediate reconstruction & my preference is to use my own tissue over an implant. In a way I feel completely thankful I can avoid chemo or radiation but am daunted at the journey still ahead, all the what ifs, the prospect of major surgery & dealing with my work (which I love!). I don't think I have any questions right now but just wanted to say hi.Information on reconstruction after Mastectomy please
Hello and thanks to all on this forum. I was informed on Wednesday that instead of having 2 lumpectomies on 10/2 on my Lobular cancer they will have to perform a Mastectomy as MRI showed more cancer than Ultrasound. I need to decide by Tuesday 31/1 about a reconstruction (if that’s even possible) can anyone help with their experiences please? I am a bit of an emotional wreck, 66 years old. Thank you
